Senate confirms Gordon as secretary of labor

Former state Rep. Lana Gordon has been confirmed by the Senate as secretary of labor.

A former 12-year member of the Legislature, Gordon has served as labor secretary on an interim basis since September while awaiting confirmation.

“I am honored to be confirmed as secretary and appreciate the confidence Gov. Brownback has demonstrated in me,” Gordon said in a written statement.

The Labor Department oversees benefit programs such as unemployment and compensation for injured workers. It also collects statistics on labor statewide.

The agency made news last week when it won a victory in the state Supreme Court in a case involving the employment classification of semi-nude exotic dancers.

The court sided with Labor Department attorneys who argued that strippers are employees of the club where they work rather than independent contractors, making them eligible for unemployment and other benefits reserved for employees under Kansas law.